From Bones to Proteins

Photo: Sune Eriksen

Norilia uses leftover bones from the poultry industry to develop protein-rich ingredients for the food industry. These proteins have a high content of bioavailable amino acids and are considered to offer significant natural health benefits.

Through its Bioco facility at Hærland in Østfold, Norilia has implemented a gentle and efficient process based on innovative technology to extract proteins from chicken and turkey bones. This process enables more efficient use of raw materials than previously possible.

Utilizing the entire raw material with innovative technology

Norilia uses a patented enzymatic hydrolysis process to extract proteins from meaty chicken and turkey bones. This gentle and effective method yields more protein than traditional broth cooking and breaks down long protein chains into smaller peptides that are more easily absorbed by the body. The result is functional proteins with a wide range of potential applications in food, dietary supplements, clinical nutrition, and sports nutrition.

Protein - building block for health

Why do we need proteins?

Proteins are essential for many bodily functions. Throughout life, we go through phases where protein needs increase. This may be due to illness, pregnancy, high physical activity, or aging.

Reduced muscle mass and decreased ability to utilize protein effectively can begin as early as age 50. Many experts therefore recommend higher protein intake from that age to help maintain strength and physical function.

Bioco: Sustainability in practice

The Bioco facility at Hærland is jointly owned by Norilia and Felleskjøpet Agri. It is located adjacent to Nortura’s largest poultry slaughterhouse, and raw materials are piped directly into the processing facility. In addition to protein, the facility produces fat and meal containing non-soluble proteins and minerals. This meal can be used in food, animal feed, and fertilizer. The process used is called continuous enzymatic hydrolysis. The raw material is ground, mixed with water and enzymes, and the enzymes break down the material so that proteins, fats, and minerals can be separated. The material then goes through a decanter which separates the components.

The idea of using enzymatic hydrolysis to refine meaty poultry bones originated from Norilia’s own research and innovation, inspired by developments in the fish processing industry. Norilia initiated and led the project from early planning through to the establishment of Bioco in 2018.

Innovation and collaboration hand in hand

Today, Norilia works closely with Bioco on research and development, with a focus on optimizing both process and product characteristics. Norilia is also responsible for marketing and selling Bioco’s ingredients. Our aim is to provide B2B customers with ingredients that offer clear added value, backed by solid scientific evidence.

If you are interested in hearing more about our R&D activities, contact our Business Development Department. If you are interested in purchasing our ingredients, please contact our Sales Department. Contact information here.

Protein - building block for health

What are proteins?

All living tissue is made up of proteins, which consist of long chains of amino acids. The human body uses 20 different amino acids to build proteins. Some of these are produced by the body, but nine of them are essential and must be obtained through diet. Animal proteins such as those from milk, eggs, meat, and fish are considered complete proteins because they contain all the essential amino acids in the right amounts and proportions to meet the body's needs.

Did you know that proteins are key to almost every function in the body?
They build and maintain muscles, bones, skin, and mucous membranes. They transport oxygen and nutrients in the blood and play an important role in the immune system. Proteins are also used to store and carry various substances in the body—and even the enzymes used in our hydrolysis process are proteins.